ADOT Plans Use Radar Technology To Detect Monsoon Storms Along Interstate And Warn Drivers
The Arizona Department of Transportation has a multi-million dollar plan to reduce monsoon-related accidents along a busy stretch of Interstate 10.
During a five-year span from 2010 to 2015, police responded to 85 dust-related crashes along the I-10 corridor between Phoenix and Tucson.
ADOT hopes to prevent dust related crashes using a $54 million federal grant that would widen the interstate and install both long-range and short-range radar technology along the way.
The long-range system would sit near Picacho Peak to detect incoming dust storms 50 miles away.
The short-range systems, set up in known trouble spots, would help detect dust particles in the air.
ADOT confirmed it is also installing additional electronic billboards to warn drivers to reduce speed to as low as 35 miles per hour when dangerous dust levels are detected ahead.
